Foldable building construction of roof and wall sections

ABSTRACT

A building construction in which integral wall and roof sections are ideally frabricated remotely from a building site and easily transported and erected at the building site.

United States Patent Bea 1 51 Jan. 23, 1973 [5 1 FOLDABLE BUILDING 1,285,467 11/1918 Thiessen ..52/71 CONSTRUCTION OF ROOF AND WAL 2,581,192 1/1952 Fleur ..52/l8 SECTIONS 3,427,767 2/1969 Schaefer ..s2/1s [76] Inventor: Karl ,l. Bea, Route 1, Box 198, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Syracuse 60030 1,092,370 4/1955 France ..52/l8 [22] Filed: April 5, 1971 1,432,580 2/1966 France ..52/66 pp Noi: 131,075 900,606 11/1953 Germany ..52/12 v OTHER PUBLICATIONS [52] US. Cl. ..52/7l, 52/18, 52/71, House d H V L XVII Jan. 1960 p. 138 New 5 2/ 143 Experimental Houses [51] Int. Cl ..E04b 7/12, E04b 7/16 [58] Field of Search ..52/18, 64, 66, 69, 71, 262, primary Examiner prank L. Abbott 52/143 Assistant Examiner-Leslie A. Braun Attorney-Edward L. Benno [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [57] ABSTRACT 2,751,635 6 1956 Donnahue ..52/69 A building which integral and 3 443 344 5 19 9 Williams I 052/13 roof sections are ideally frabricated remotely from a 2,293,569 8/1942 Sonino building site and easily transported and erected at the 2,350,904 6/1944 building site. 3,044,129 7/1962 3,407,546 10/1968 Yates et a1 ..52/l8 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 23 I973 SHEET 1 [)F 2 9 QED 9 W m e m B 4 w J d WWW? 1 M J N 0 K E Y B SHEET 2 OF 2 3 WWW |3 |3 |3 P 1 5 W K 5 IN VENT 0R Kar/J 560 FOLDABLE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION OF ROOF AND WALL SECTIONS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION when a building is substantially completely constructed on the building site. One of the most important problems is the transportation of the prefabricated construction to the building site. This problem involves many considerations such as size, weight and arrangement of the prefabricated construction relative to the hauling vehicle, highway weight and size limitations, and safety considerations. Other problems are concerned with loading and unloading of the prefabricated construction and its ease of erection on the building site. Further problems with prefabricated constructions relate to the inherent capabilities of the construction to conveniently provide for buildings of different lengths, widths and heights while maintaining desireable esthetic values.

The present invention is a unique building construction solving the above noted problems in an economical and efficient manner. In the present invention the prefabricated construction comprises a plurality of building sections each of which includes a roof section with wall sections pivotally connected to the roof section at each end thereof. The roof and wall sections have substantially the same cross sectional configuration. That configuration is substantially M- or W- shaped. By virtue of that configuration, the building section is easily supported and carried at two positions longitudinally thereof when the wall sections are pivotally juxtaposed to the roof section. Because of the relatively light weight andinherent strength of the buildings sections, a simple trailer arrangement can be made by bolting a set of road wheels under one wall section and securing a trailer tongue and hitch under the other wall section. Further, at least one additional building section can be carried on top of the first section.

At the building site the building sections are erected by pivoting the wall sections outwardly from the roof section through an angle of slightly more than 90, and setting the base of the wall sections on the building foundation. Contiguous building sections are secured together and any number of building sections may be used to provide a building of a desired length. The building height and width are determined by the respective lengths of the wall and roof sections. The end walls of the building are constructed in any well known manner to suit the particular purpose for which the building is to be used. For example with the same basic construction of the invention the building may be finished to be used as an aircraft hanger, a theater, a warehouse, a store, or a manufacturing plant.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a building construction of prefabricated pivotally interconnected roof and wall sections which are self supporting in a folded condition for easy transport using a road wheel dolly and a trailer hitch, and in which the erection and interconnection of the building sections are inherently simple.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent upon a perusal of the following specification and drawings.

The present embodiment is the preferred embodiment but it is to be understood that changes can be made in the present embodiment by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of two building sections constructed according to the invention and showing the manner in which they may be transported;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of a building using building sections such as shown in F IG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the corner construction of the building sections in a building such as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of a building constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 4 and taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the structure shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings the building sections are prefabricated so that when adjacent building sections are joined or secured together the line of joining is in the valleys rather than at the peaks, but it is contemplated that alternatively the building sections can be so formed that assembly or joining occurs at the peaks rather than in the valleys.

Each building section comprisesa roof section 10 and two wall sections 11 which have substantially the same cross sectional configuration. The configuration may be described as M- or W-shaped. Referring tothe typical wall cross section shown in FIG. 5, one wall section 11 comprises four panels 12, two peak'splices or members 13, a valley splice or member 14, and two joint splice members 15. In the present embodiment the panels 12 are two juxtaposed plywood panels glued or otherwise cemented together. Other suitable materials may also be used for the panels 12. The members 13, 14 and 15 in the present embodiment are a nominal two inch thick construction grade lumber, but may also be formed of other suitable materials. The side marginal edges of the splice member 14 are grooved or otherwise shaped to receive the longitudinal side edges of two panels 12, and the panels 12 are secured to the member 14 at substantially a 45 angle thereto and so that the angle between the two panels 12 is substantially degrees. The other longitudinal side edges of the panels 12 are set in a longitudinal groove in the longitudinal side marginal edges of the peak splice members 13 so that the plane including the members 13 is parallel to the plane including the member 14. Themembers 13 are secured to the panels 12 by a cement or suitable fasteners. The other two panels 12 of the wall section 11 are respectively secured along one longitudinal marginal edge to the other longitudinal marginal edge of the peak members 13 and at substantially a 45 angle thereto to define the M- or W-shape of the wall section 11. The joint members 15 are provided with a longitudinally extending groove on one side marginal edge which receives the other longitudinal marginal edge of the panels 12 which are secured to the peak members 13. The joint members 15 are secured to the panels 12 and positioned in substantially the same plane including the valley member 14. The joint members 15 have a width approximately one half of the width of valley member 14.

To reinforce the wall sections 11, brace members 16 may be provided and secured between the two joint members 15 and the valley member 14 by any suitable fasteners. One such fastener is shown at 17 in FIG. 5.

The roof sections are formed substantially as described above in regard to the wall sections 11.

The ends of the roof sections 10 are formed at an angle or mitered for cooperation with the upper ends of the wall sections 11. The wall sections 11 are also formed at an angle or mitered as may be seen in FIG. 3. In the present embodiment the roof sections 10 and wall sections 11 are mitered so that in the erected condition of the building sections the upper ends of the wall sections 11 are inclined slightly inwardly of the building. However it is contemplated that the miter joint may be formed so that the wall sections 11 are substantially perpendicular.

In each building section, two wall sections 11 are pivotally connected at opposite ends of a roof section 10. The pivotal connection is by means of three hinges for each pivotal joint. The hinges are shown at 18 in FIGS. 1 and 3. Two hinges 18 are secured between the upper ends of the joint members and the corresponding joint members 19 of the roof section 10. The third hinge 18 is secured between the upper end of the valley member 14 and the corresponding valley member of the roof section 10. The hinges l8 permit the wall sections 11 of a building section to be folded against the underside of the roof section 10 thereof as may be seen in FIG. 1. The'braces 16 of the roof and wall sections maintain a parallel spacing between the roof and wall sections.

Sills 20 shown in FIG. 1 may be provided across the lower ends of the wall sections 1 1 for appropriate connection to the building foundation.

By virtue of the described construction a building section is easily transported to a building site by using the arrangement shown in FIG. 1. A dolly 21 having road wheels 22 is disposed beneath one folded wall section 11. The frame of the dolly 21 is bolted to the wall section by bolts 23 extending through the frame and the peak members 13 of the wall section 11. The other or forward wall section 1 1 is provided with a trailer tongue 24 and hitch 25. The tongue 24 has a width sufficient to span the width of the building section and is bolted to the peak members 13 of the forward wall section 11 by bolts 26. To prevent the wall sections 11 from pivoting relative to the roof section as the transporting arrangement is hauled along a highway, removable brackets 27 are secured between the sills 20 of the wall sections 11 and joint members 19 of roof sections 10. Where highway height conditions permit, one or more building sections can be conveniently carried on the first building section. Suitable spacers 28 may be placed between the cooperating peak members of the stacked arrangement of building sections and suitable bolts used to secure the arrangement for transport.

After the building sections have been transported to the building site they are unbolted from the transport arrangement and lifted into the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The wall sections 11 are pivoted away from the roof section 10 until the corners are closed. To aid in locking the corners in the closed positions cooperating hing type elements 29 which may be seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 are mounted on the roof sections 10 and wall sections 11. The hinge type elements 29 for the wall sections 11 are mounted on the peak members 13 and the cooperating element 29 on the roof sections 10 are mounted on the roof peak sections 30 as may be seen in FIG. 3. When the corners are closed suitable pins are inserted in the hinge type elements 29 to lock the comers in the closed condition.

In erecting the building, building sections are aligned as viewed in FIG. 4 with adjacent joint members 15 of the wall sections 11 and joint members 19 of the roof sections 10 in abutting relation. The adjacent building sections are then held together by battens 31 which are positioned to span the joints of adjacent building sections. Bolts 32 secured through the battens 31 lock the adjacent building sections together.

To further lock adjacent building sections together, splices (not shown) may be provided between adjacent brace members 16 or adjacent building sections.

Any well known sealing or calking means may be used to render the building sealed against inclement weather.

Any known constructions can be used for the end walls of the building depending upon the particular purposes for which the building is to be used. The interior of the building may also be trimmed or finished as necessary for the particular purposes of the building. If flat walls or ceilings are applied to the interior of the building, the troughs or channels formed by the wall and roof sections may be used for duct work or water or power lines.

In the contemplated construction of the building sections providing abutting relationship of adjacent building sections at the peaks rather than the valleys, two valley members such as valley member 14 are provided with one peak member such as peak member 13. Two longitudinal side edges of the panels 12 then terminate at the peaks and are provided with joint members such as joint members 15. The battens 31 then interconnect adjacent building sections at the peaks.

lclaim:

1. A prefabricated building section for mobile transport to a building site comprising, a roof section and a pair of wall sections, said roof and wall sections being substantially longitudinally straight and said roof section being at least as long as the combined length of said wall sections, said roof and wall sections comprising four panels arranged in complementary M and W shapes in cross section, means pivotally interconnecting the inner upper end portions of each wall section to the opposed inner end portions of said roof section for pivotal movement of said wall sections relative to said roof section from a juxtaposed position in transport of said building section to angled positions with closed comer joints for erection at a building site, a wheel assembly removably secured below one of said wall sections with said roof section and said wall sections in said juxtaposed position, and a hitch assembly removably secured below the other of said wall sections for mobile transport of said building section to a building site.

i V 6 2. A building construction as defined in claim 1, securing said batten members to said building sections. wherein the angles between adjacent panels is substan- 4. A building construction as d fi d in claim 3 tially 90.

3. A building construction as defined in claim 2, and batten members spanning the abutting joint between adjacent building sections, and fastening means for wherein brace members are secured transversely across 5 the valleys of said wall and roof sections. 

1. A prefabricated building section for mobile transport to a building site comprising, a roof section and a pair of wall sections, said roof and wall sections being substantially longitudinally straight and said roof section being at least as long as the combined length of said wall sections, said roof and wall sections comprising four panels arranged in complementary M and W shapes in cross section, means pivotally interconnecting the inner upper end portions of each wall section to the opposed inner end portions of said roof section for pivotal movement of said wall sections relative to said roof section from a juxtaposed position in transport of said building section to angled positions with closed corner joints for erection at a building site, a wheel assembly removably secured below one of said wall sections with said roof section and said wall sections in said juxtaposed position, and a hitch assembly removably secured below the other of said wall sections for mobile transport of said building section to a building site.
 2. A building construction as defined in claim 1, wherein the angles between adjacent panels is substantially 90* .
 3. A building construction as defined in claim 2, and batten members spanning the abutting joint between adjacent building sections, and fastening means for securing said batten members to said building sections.
 4. A building construction as defined in claim 3, wherein brace members are secured transversely across the valleys of said wall and roof sections. 